Official Site of The State of New JerseyOffice of Care Workforce
The New Jersey Department of Labor's Office of Care Workforce is a specialized entity aimed at strengthening, supporting, and expanding the state's care economy, which includes childcare, elder care, and care for individuals with disabilities. It focuses on improving job quality, compensation, and career pathways for workers while meeting the growing demand for care services in New Jersey.
Key Focus Areas and Services
- Industry Support: The office focuses on childcare, maternal health, and direct care for seniors and people with disabilities.
- Career Development: Creates sustainable career pathways, enhances training opportunities, and addresses staffing shortages in the care sector.
- Care Workforce Strategic Plan: The office helps implement a comprehensive strategic plan to boost recruitment and retention for roles such as Certified Home Health Aides (CHHAs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).
- Partnerships & Collaboration: Collaborates with the NJ Departments of Health, Human Services, Education, and Children and Families to streamline services.
- Apprenticeships: Implements early childhood registered apprenticeship pilots and utilizes the GAINS program for direct care fields.
Core Initiatives
- Nurture NJ: Supports the initiative to improve maternal and infant health.
- Preschool Development Birth-to-Five Grant (PDG B-5): Partners to secure and implement this federal grant to support early childhood education efforts.
- Needs Assessment: Conducts surveys and focus groups to gather input from workers and employers on how to improve the sector.
- Workforce Improvement: Aims to improve working conditions for caregivers.
Contact and Resources
Questions? Email us at careworkforce@dol.nj.gov.
NJDOL resources and links
Partner resources and links
Reference materials